12 Bitter Cocktails With Balanced Bittersweet Flavor

That sweet, sweet taste of that first sip of Negroni. Sweet to the soul only. After all, if you're as smitten with bitter cocktails as we are, you know that the sweetness comes from the love of those herbaceous bitter flavors. From Campari to Fernet, let's explore the bitterly delicious side of cocktails.

Herbaceous, earthy, vegetal. Cynar is an underappreciated bitter liqueur. Don't be afraid to try it on the rocks before adding it to your drink.

Ingredients

• 1½ ounces Cynar
• 1 ounce grapefruit juice
• ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
• ¼ ounce raspberry liqueur
• Crushed ice
• Mint sprig for garnish

Instructions

1. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, Cynar, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and raspberry liqueur.
2. Shake to chill.
3. Strain into rocks glass or julep cup over crushed ice.
4. Garnish with a mint sprig.

Quite literally meaning "bitter" in Italian, this herbal liqueur is one you'll most often find in after-dinner drinks. But don't let that stop you from enjoying a bitter black Manhattan anytime of day.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces rye
• 1 ounce amaro
• 1-2 dashes orange bitters
• 1-2 dashes aromatic bitters
• Ice
• Cocktail cherry for garnish

Instructions

1. Chill a martini glass or coupe.
2. In a mixing glass, add ice, rye, amaro, and bitters.
3. Stir rapidly to chill.
4. Strain into the chilled glass.
5. Garnish with a cocktail cherry.

What is it about a Negroni? That perfect balance of bitter, herbaceous, with just a whisper of sweetness. It takes your breath away. Try our perfectly balanced Negroni recipe.

You don't need to explain if gin isn't your thing, it's not everyone's cup of liquor. Bourbon, on the other hand, is a little more accessible. The negroni variations don't stop there.

Ingredients

• 1 ounce bourbon
• 1 ounce sweet vermouth
• 1 ounce Campari
• Ice
• Orange peel for garnish

Instructions

1. In a mixing glass, add ice, bourbon, sweet vermouth, and Campari.
2. Stir rapidly to chill.
3. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
4. Garnish with an orange peel.

A baby cocktail among the other bitter drink plays, the paper plane cocktail flew onto the bar scene in 2008. That doesn't mean it isn't deserving of a place in your hand.

Like the car, this is a shot you take quickly. Unless you're someone who loves bitter drinks in a big way. Then serve this up over ice in a rocks glass, and garnish with an orange twist. Cheers!

Ingredients

• ¾ ounce Fernet
• ¾ ounce Campari
• Ice

Instructions

1. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, Fernet, and Campari.
2. Shake to chill.
3. Strain into a shot glass.
4. Bottoms up!

Except for having to plan ahead if you don't readily have raspberry shrub on hand, this Negroni riff has an acidic edge to the classic.

Ingredients

• 1 ounce gin
• 1 ounce sweet vermouth
• ¾ ounce Campari
• ½ ounce raspberry shrub
• Ice
• Raspberries for garnish

Instructions

1. In a mixing glass, add ice, gin, sweet vermouth, Campari, and raspberry shrub.
2. Stir rapidly to chill.
3. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
4. Garnish with three fresh raspberries.

For those who shy away from Fernet, be warned, it is the biggest flavor in this Manhattan riff. And for those who can't get enough, then today is your lucky day.

Ingredients

• 1½ ounces rye
• ½ ounce Fernet
• ½ ounce sweet vermouth
• 1-2 dashes aromatic bitters
• Ice
• Cocktail cherries for garnish

Instructions

1. Chill a martini glass or coupe.
2. In a mixing glass, add ice, rye, Fernet, sweet vermouth, and bitters.
3. Stir rapidly to chill.
4. Strain into the chilled glass.
5. Garnish with cocktail cherries.

You were drinking an Aperol spritz, and you wanted something to cut through the sweetness of the prosecco. Easy! Swap that Aperol for Campari. What're your next two wishes?

Ingredients

• 3 ounces prosecco
• 2 ounces Campari
• 1 ounce club soda
• Ice
• Orange peel and raspberry for garnish

Instructions

1. In a wine glass, add ice, prosecco, Campari, and club soda.
2. Stir briefly to mix.
3. Garnish with an orange peel and raspberry.

Who said you can't enjoy the tropical days with a little bitterness? Just give them a sip of this.

Ingredients

• 1 ounce silver rum
• 1 ounce sweet vermouth
• 1 ounce Campari
• Ice
• Orange slice with garnish

Instructions

1. In a mixing glass, add ice, silver rum, sweet vermouth, and Campari.
2. Stir rapidly to chill.
3. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
4. Garnish with an orange slice.

Don't be fooled by this punch, the grapefruit juice keeps this cocktail nice and bitter.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces Campari
• 2 ounces grapefruit juice
• ¾ ounce grenadine
• ¾ ounce vodka
• Ice
• Grapefruit slice for garnish

Instructions

1. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, Campari, grapefruit juice, grenadine, and vodka.
2. Shake to chill.
3. Strain into a highball glass over fresh ice.
4. Garnish with a grapefruit slice.

If you're Campari's number one fan and you're looking for something like your usual Americano but with a little more zip, get your fill with the bitter Campari martini.

Ingredients

• 1½ ounces gin
• ¾ ounce Campari
• ¼ ounce simple syrup
• Ice
• Lemon wheel for garnish

Instructions

1. Chill a martini glass or coupe.
2. In a mixing glass, add ice, gin, Campari, and simple syrup.
3. Stir rapidly to chill.
4. Strain into a chilled glass.
5. Garnish with a lemon wheel.

Don't let anyone rain on your bitter parade. Bitter cocktails are here to stay. After all, every time someone makes a face at your Negroni or threatens to use the bottle of Campari as a door stopper, your love of bitter cocktails will only grow stronger. You can't hear them over the sound of your clinking ice, anyway.